Transition - An organized set of activities that help you move from high school to college, post-secondary training, independent living, or work successfully. Transition focuses on what you need and what you want to do with your future.
Self Advocate - A person who speaks up for themselves and what they want!
Post School Goal - Things that students decide to do with their life after they leave school.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) - A form that outlines your abilities, skills you need to work on in school, and your accommodations and helps you plan for your future goals.
Americans' With Disabilities Act (ADA) - Law passed in 1990 by Congress to ensure that people with disabilities would have equal access and equal rights.
The Post School Outcomes:
Post secondary education or training (going to a 2-4 year university, community college, technical school, or anything that furthers your education)
Employment (getting a job)
Independent Living (how to live on your own successfully – where do you want to live, how will you get around in your community, what do you want to do in your free time)
Keys to being a good self advocate:
Do Research – Know your options
Communication – Talk to people! Be assertive, but polite!
Compromise – Let your teachers and parents lend a helping hand. They know their stuff.
Teamwork – Know who you can ask to be a part of your IEP team.
DO's and DON'Ts of being a self advocate:
DO's
DON'Ts
Be polite
Yell or Demand
Ask Questions
Be Shy
Know your information
Come to a meeting unprepared
Keep a record of important papers, phone numbers, and names. Be organized
Lose your records, phone numbers, names of people who helped and hindered you
Send Thank You notes and show your appreciation
Be ungrateful for people's time and effort
Give your contact information, and also remember to get theirs too!
Don't network
Be Confident
Be a push over or arrogant (overconfident)
Review Questions:
What is transition and what are the three transition goal areas?
What is advocacy?
What are the four keys to being a good self advocate?
What are the DO's and DON'Ts of advocacy?
What questions should you ask your teacher and others about your IEP and transition plan?
The Post School Outcomes:
Keys to being a good self advocate:
DO's and DON'Ts of being a self advocate: